Motorola Rokr Phone Ditching iTunes?

[MacRumors]

TGDaily reveals some FCC documents that a new Motorola Rokr phone will take a significant departure from current models.

The new phone is depicted in a black enclosure with a large touch screen and a "central track point" which resembles an iPod. In fact, the photos of the upcoming Motorola Rokr bears a surprising resemblance to our Apple phone artist rendition.

Beyond that, the Motorola Rokr is said to be dropping Apple's iTunes media player in favor of Real Networks' Real One player. This news comes amidst ongoing rumors of Apple's entry into the cell phone market.

Motorola has been the only cell phone manufacturer that has been licensed by Apple to play iTunes protected songs, but their first iTunes phones were met with poor reviews. It's uncertain if this news means that Motorola is planning on dropping iTunes support entirely or simply on certain models.

 

[spicyapple]

Motorola must know that Apple is coming up with a phone of their own. How else to explain going from iTunes to Real?

 

[arn]

While the phones look alike, I don't think our sources were mistakenly describing the Motorola phone.

Not sure what that means, or if it was just a coincidence.

Could this be because of Apple not licensing iTunes to Motorola anymore? Could Motorola and Apple somehow be collaborting otherwise? Very interesting...

arn

 

[D3LM3L]

Looks like Apple has something big enough coming out that it'll wipe out its own iTunes phones.

 

[BornAgainMac]

The original ROKR phone with iTunes would have been the perfect design for the Real Networks service. It would have been a perfect match.

I would like to thank Motorola for making that phone and getting Apple to make their own phone.

 

[twoodcc]

While the phones look alike, I don't think our sources were mistakenly describing the Motorola phone.

Not sure what that means, or if it was just a coincidence.

Could this be because of Apple no licensing iTunes to Motorola anymore? Could Motorola and Apple somehow be collaborting otherwise? Very interesting...

arn

i agree, this seems very interesting. i think that Motorola knows that Apple is coming out with a new phone soon, so that's why they are leaving itunes

 

[NewSc2]

Ditching iTunes for Real? Wow...

I haven't played with the iTunes Motorola phones much, but the UI didn't seem to make me run out and replace my Razr + Nano.

 

[mahonmeister]

From my experience, Real Player sucks. They make you pay to view some of the videos and the player was quirky. No thanks. They can keep their Rustr or what ever they're calling it now.

 

[zigziggityzoo]

The second gen ROKR

Here's the Second Gen ROKR:

http://www.wirelessimports.com/ProductDetail.asp?ProductID=591

Here's the Third Gen ROKR:

http://www.wirelessimports.com/ProductDetail.asp?ProductID=624


The phone in question has to be at least the 4th Gen.

 

[VanMac]

I hate the Motorola UI.

Good match.... them and Real.....

 

[X5-452]

If it's true, if Apple is going to release an iPhone, I hope the do it within the next 30 days. I just upgraded to the Samsung T609, but like with any phone, I have 30 days to return it and downgrade back to my old one. And I'm not gonna lie, I would love an iPhone.

 

[MisterMe]

Ditching iTunes for Real? Wow...

I haven't played with the iTunes Motorola phones much, but the UI didn't seem to make me run out and replace my Razr + Nano.

Don't you people read anything other than rumor sites? Within the last month, Motorola announced the iTunes-enabled RAZR V3i.

 

[iMacZealot]

The ROKR E1 is the only one intended for the US...the E2, E3, and E6 (described in original post) are for China, and they have been using different music players there. No need to get all hot and bothered...

 

[arn]

The ROKR E1 is the only one intended for the US...the E2, E3, and E6 (described in original post) are for China, and they have been using different music players there. No need to get all hot and bothered...

So why does Motorola need FCC approval for a phone targeted for China?

arn

 

[iMacZealot]

So why does Motorola need FCC approval for a phone targeted for China?

arn

I read on Engadget Mobile that it's probably set for China because that's where the other ROKRs have been selling and the only american band is 1900, and Cingular, who's been getting all the iTunes phones here, runs on both 1900 and 850, so it's not destined for here unless if they have some out of left field deal with T-Mobile.

 

[the.snitch]

Who cares - motorola have some good industrial designers - really up there with apple's elegance, but their phone OS is the ugliest, non-intuitive, laggy POS interface out there.
I wanted to like them - but they just seem to be lagging in the software department. You could tell steve hated them too - he looked like he wanted to smash that ROKR when it wasn't working properly in his keynote demo.

I hope if apple makes a phone, their interface takes a page from the SonyEricsson phones. Much easier and nicer to look at.

 

[iMacZealot]

People, these new ROKRs have new interfaces based off Linux...take a look at it here. Although Phone Scoop says in its article about the E6 that it is destined for China because of a pen-based Linux OS....hmm.

 

[savar]

What's the deal with using the RAZR style buttons? I'm not usually one to call things ugly, but those things are plain ugly. I got an E815 instead because I couldn't stand the way the RAZR looked.

 

[yg17]

Just when I thought Motorola's crap couldn't get any worse, they partner up with Real.

 

[OdduWon]

the new 007 movie comes out here on nov 17 ,the same dayas ZUNE i think. Wouldn't it be great if apple showed off their iPhone in the theater as James Bond's new gadget lets hope zune dosen't try first.


OdduWon

 

[SeaFox]

Beyond that, the Motorola Rokr is said to be dropping Apple's iTunes media player in favor of Real Networks' Real One player.

Oh yeah. That will sure attract a drove of customers.

Adding a music player known for spyware, who needs the NSA? My phone can spy on me itself!

 

[CHROMEDOME]

Every Motorola phone is all form and no function.

Hey wait that sounds familiar.

 

[SeaFox]

the new 007 movie comes out here on nov 17 ,the same dayas ZUNE i think. Wouldn't it be great if apple showed off their iPhone in the theater as James Bond's new gadget lets hope zune dosen't try first.

Sorry. The spot is taken. Bond's new handset will be a Sony-Ericsson.

 

[iMacZealot]

the new 007 movie comes out here on nov 17 ,the same dayas ZUNE i think. Wouldn't it be great if apple showed off their iPhone in the theater as James Bond's new gadget lets hope zune dosen't try first.


OdduWon

It's be MUCH MUCH cooler if they had Connery. Hell, Timothy Dalton'd be better than Blond Bond!

 

[koobcamuk]

The phone in the new James Bond is the SE M600. Not an Apple iPhone.